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Progesterone Treatment (progesterone + treatment)
Selected AbstractsChanges in Progesterone Receptor Isoforms Content in the Rat Brain During the Oestrous Cycle and After Oestradiol and Progesterone TreatmentsJOURNAL OF NEUROENDOCRINOLOGY, Issue 10 2003C. Guerra-Araiza Abstract We studied the effects of oestradiol and progesterone on progesterone receptor (PR) isoform content in the brain of ovariectomized rats and in intact rats during the oestrous cycle by Western blot analysis. In the hypothalamus and the preoptic area of ovariectomized rats, PR-A and PR-B content was increased by oestradiol, whereas progesterone significantly diminished the content of both PR isoforms after 3 h of treatment in the hypothalamus, but not in the preoptic area. In the hippocampus, only PR-A content was significantly increased by oestradiol while progesterone significantly diminished it after 12 h of treatment. In the frontal cortex, no treatment significantly modified PR isoform content. During the oestrous cycle, the lowest content of PR isoforms in the hypothalamus was observed on diestrus day and, by contrast, in the preoptic area, the highest content of both PR isoforms was observed on diestrus day. We observed no changes in PR isoform content in the hippocampus during the oestrous cycle. These results indicate that the expression of PR isoforms is differentially regulated by sex steroid hormones in a regionally specific manner. [source] Effects of estrogen and progesterone treatment on rat hippocampal NMDA receptors: Relationship to Morris water maze performanceJOURNAL OF CELLULAR AND MOLECULAR MEDICINE, Issue 4 2004Nahid K. El-Bakri Abstract Estrogen modulates NMDA receptors function in the brain. It increases both dendritic spine density and synapse number in the hippocampus, an effect that can be blocked by NMDA antagonist. In this study, we investigated the effect of 17,-estradiol and progesterone treatment on NMDA receptors in ovariectomized rats. Two different doses were used for 10 weeks. Receptor autoradiography was done on brain sections using [3H] MK-801 as a ligand. Our results showed a significant increase in [3H] MK-801 binding in the dentate gyrus, CA3 and CA4 areas of the hippocampus of ovariectomized compared to sham operated rats. In addition, we observed similar changes in CA1. 17,-estradiol treatment in both doses reduced the binding back to the normal level while progesterone treatment did not show any effect. Spatial reference memory was tested on Morris water maze task. Ovariectomy severely impaired spatial reference memory. Estradiol but not progesterone treatment significantly improved the memory performance of the ovariectomized rats. Low dose treatment showed better learning than high dose estrogen treatment. The decrease in the antagonist sites by estradiol treatment could result in an increase in the sensitivity of the hippocampus to the excitatory stimulation by glutamate system and hence the effect of estradiol on learning and memory. The changes of NMDA receptors in the hippocampus support the concept that estrogen-enhancing effect on spatial reference memory could be through the enhancing of NMDA function. [source] Elemental distributions in femoral bone of rat under osteoporosis preventive treatmentsJOURNAL OF MICROSCOPY, Issue 3 2006M. D. YNSA Summary One of the abnormalities of bone architecture is osteoporosis as occurring in post-menopausal women. Especially long bones, such as femur, become more fragile and more prone to fracture. The efficiency of several osteoporosis preventative treatments based on oestrogen and progestin in bone structure and mineral recovery was studied using ovariectomized Wistar rats as an osteoporosis experimental model. Diagonal cross-sections of the proximal epiphysis of femoral bones were analysed using nuclear microscopy techniques in order to map and determine the concentration profiles of P, Ca, S, Fe and Zn from the epiphysis to diaphysis and across the cortical and trabecular bone structures. In control animals (not ovariectomized), the S and Zn contents significantly characterized differences between cortical and trabecular bone structures, whereas P and Ca showed increased gradients from the epiphyseal region to the diaphysis. After ovariectomy the differences observed were differential according to the type of hormonal supplementation. A significant decrease in P and Ca contents and depletion of minor and trace minerals, such as S, Fe and Zn, were found for both cortical and trabecular bone structures after ovariectomy relative to controls. Bone mineral contents were reversed to control levels by synthetic oestrogen supplementation, and combined oestrogen and progesterone treatment. Recovery was more evident in the femoral epiphysis and neck than in the diaphysis. The use of oestrogen alone did not lead to bone recovery after ovariectomy. Alterations in bone mineral composition observed for animals receiving synthetic oestrogen and combined oestrogen and progesterone supplement might reflect beneficial structural changes in critical regions of long bones, mostly affected in post-menopausal osteoporosis. [source] Neuropeptide Y (NPY) Delays the Oestrogen-Induced Luteinizing Hormone (LH) Surge in the Ovariectomized Ewe: Further Evidence That NPY has a Predominant Negative Effect on LH Secretion in the EweJOURNAL OF NEUROENDOCRINOLOGY, Issue 11 2003K. M. Estrada Abstract Studies in rats suggest that neuropeptide Y (NPY) plays a stimulatory role in the generation of the preovulatory luteinizing hormone (LH) surge, via the Y1 receptor. We have investigated this issue using the oestradiol benzoate (EB)-treated ovariectomized (OVX) ewe which is a model for the preovulatory LH surge. A Y1 receptor antagonist (BIBO3304) was infused (25 µg/h) into the third cerebral ventricle (III-V) from 2 h before EB injection for 24 h, and had no effect on the ensuing LH surge. Using in situ hybridization, we then examined expression of NPY mRNA in the arcuate nucleus during the luteal, follicular and oestrous phases of the oestrous cycle, and found that levels were greatest during the luteal phase. Thus, reduced NPY synthesis might be an integral factor in the events leading to the cyclic preovulatory LH surge. This was tested by infusion of NPY (25 µg/h) into the III-V (as above). The NPY infusion delayed the LH surge until the infusion was ceased. High levels of NPY expression during the luteal phase of the oestrous cycle may be caused by progesterone. Thus, we determined whether NPY cells possess progesterone receptors (PR) and whether progesterone treatment up-regulates NPY mRNA expression in the arcuate nucleus. Immunohistochemistry for NPY and PR was performed in OVX, oestrogen-treated ewes, but no NPY cells of the arcuate nucleus were seen to colocalize PR. In situ hybridization for NPY was performed in OVX and OVX ewes treated with progesterone. There was no significant effect of progesterone treatment on NPY mRNA expression in the arcuate nucleus. We conclude that chronically elevated levels of NPY block the preovulatory surge of gonadotropin-releasing hormone/LH secretion in sheep, but high levels of NPY mRNA expression in the luteal phase of the oestrous cycle cannot be explained by an action of progesterone. [source] Double Oestrogen Receptor , and , Knockout Mice Reveal Differences in Neural Oestrogen-Mediated Progestin Receptor Induction and Female Sexual BehaviourJOURNAL OF NEUROENDOCRINOLOGY, Issue 10 2003A. E. Kudwa Abstract To test the hypothesis that oestrogen receptor , (ER,) and ER, act together to mediate the actions of oestrogen in the ventromedial hypothalamus (VMH), we used mice with single or double knockout mutations of the ER, and ER, genes. Ovariectomized mice were implanted with 17,-oestradiol and killed 5 days later. Oestradiol treatment promoted progestin receptor (PR)-immunoreactivity (-ir) in the VMH of all genotypes, but was maximal in brains of wild-type and ER,KO females. Analysis of specific VMH subregions revealed that PR-ir induction was limited to the caudal VMH in ER,KO and ER,,KO mice. In the rostral VMH, oestradiol only induced PR-ir in wild-type and ER,KO mice, and the number of PR-ir neurones in this region was greater in ER,KO than wild-type females. Next, we tested the ability of a dopamine agonist and progesterone to facilitate sexual behaviour in females lacking functional ER,, ER,, or both receptors. Ovariectomized mice were implanted with oestradiol, and tested for sexual behaviour three times after administration of the dopamine agonist, apomorphine, followed by two tests concurrent with progesterone treatment and a final test with just apomorphine treatment. ER,KO and ER,,KO females failed to display lordosis under any testing conditions, while ER,KO females exhibited lordosis behaviour equal to that of wild-type females. Our data show that a subpopulation of PR-ir neurones is induced by oestradiol in the caudal VMH of female mice lacking both ER, and ER, genes. We hypothesize that this action of oestradiol is either mediated by a novel ER or by the mutant portion of the AF2 subregion of the ER, gene present in ER,KO brain. However, despite the presence of PR in VMH, females lacking a functional ER, gene do not display sexual behaviour, via either ligand-dependent or -independent activation. [source] Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor delta expression and regulation in mouse uterus during embryo implantation and decidualizationMOLECULAR REPRODUCTION & DEVELOPMENT, Issue 3 2003Nai-Zheng Ding Abstract The aim of this study was to examine the expression and regulation of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) PPAR, gene in mouse uterus during early pregnancy by in situ hybridization and immunohistochemistry. PPAR, expression under pseudopregnancy, delayed implantation, hormonal treatment, and artificial decidualization was also investigated. There was a very low level of PPAR, expression on days 1,4 of pregnancy. On day 5 when embryo implanted, PPAR, expression was exclusively observed in the subluminal stroma surrounding the implanting blastocyst. No corresponding signals were seen in the uterus on day 5 of pregnancy. There was no detectable PPAR, signal under delayed implantation. Once delayed implantation was terminated by estrogen treatment and embryo implanted, a strong level of PPAR, expression was induced in the subluminal stroma surrounding the implanting blastocyst. Estrogen treatment induced a moderate level of PPAR, expression in the glandular epithelium, while progesterone treatment had no effects in the ovariectomized mice. A strong level of PPAR, expression was seen in the decidua on days 6,8 of pregnancy. PPAR, expression was also induced under artificial decidualization. These data suggest that PPAR, expression at implantation sites require the presence of an active blastocyst and may play an essential role for blastocyst implantation. Mol. Reprod. Dev. 66: 218,224, 2003. © 2003 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Cloning and identification of EDD gene from ultraviolet-irradiated HaCaT cellsPHOTODERMATOLOGY, PHOTOIMMUNOLOGY & PHOTOMEDICINE, Issue 6 2006Nishma Gupta Ultraviolet (UV) radiation is one of the most important external stimuli that affects skin by inducing cancer, inflammation and cell death. To identify the regulation of genes regulated by UV during transformation, normal human keratinocyte cell line, HaCaT, was exposed to multiple doses of UVA+B (UVA , 150,200 mJ/cm2 and UVB , 15,20 mJ/cm2× 6). Malignant transformation was confirmed by formation of colonies on soft agar and DNA methylation assay. To identify the genes involved in this process, random amplification of polymorphic DNA using RNA from unexposed and multiple exposed cells was performed after each exposure. A few up-regulated genes were identified, cloned and sequenced. One of the genes had homology to EDD (E3 identified by differential display) that was up-regulated at second exposure but was down-regulated in colony-forming cells (cells that received six or more exposures) as determined by RT-PCR. This is a progesterone-induced gene and progesterone treatment reduced the extent of colony formation on soft agar plate. It is possible that hormone therapy may have some effects on skin cancer in vivo. [source] Ultrasonography and Cystic Hyperplasia,Pyometra Complex in the BitchREPRODUCTION IN DOMESTIC ANIMALS, Issue 3 2004E Bigliardi Contents Cystic endometrial hyperplasia,pyometra complex is the most frequent and important endometrial disorder encountered in bitches. The pathogenesis of the disease is related to the activity of progesterone [Feldman and Nelson, Canine and Feline Endocrinology and Reproduction (1996) W.B. Saunders, Philadelphia]. Cystic endometrial hyperplasia (CEH) is an abnormal response of the bitch's uterus to ovarian hormones [De Bosschere et al. Theriogenology (2001) 55, 1509]. CEH is considered by many authors to be an exaggerated response of the uterus to chronic progestational stimulation during the luteal phase of the oestrous cycle, causing an abnormal accumulation of fluid within the endometrial glands and uterine lumen (De Bosschere et al. 2001). The resulting lesions of pyometra are due to the interaction between bacteria and hormones. The aim of this study was to evaluate if transabdominal uterine ultrasonography can be a useful and reliable diagnostic method to confirm Dow's [Veterinary Record (1958) 70, 1102] and De Bosschere's histopathological classification of CEH,pyometra complex. The study was carried out on 45 bitches with pyometra, 10 purebreeds and 35 crossbreeds, 1,15 years old, 20% of which had whelped at least once. None of these animals had received exogenous oestrogen or progesterone treatment. On admission the 45 animals were in the luteal phase of the oestrus cycle. Clinical signs, blood parameters, uterine ultrasonography, bacterial swabs and uterine histopalogical results were recorded. Results suggest that ultrasonographic examination is a useful and reliable tool for the diagnosis of cystic endometrial hyperplasia. [source] Changes in histone modification upon activation of dormant mouse blastocystsANIMAL SCIENCE JOURNAL, Issue 6 2007Tamako MATSUHASHI ABSTRACT Gene expression in the implanting blastocyst is altered by stimulation with estrogen secreted from maternal ovaries. In the present study, to understand the mechanism regulating the changes in gene expression, diverse histone modifications in blastocysts were studied using a delayed implantation model, in which embryos were kept in a dormant state in the uterus by maternal ovariectomy and progesterone treatment, and then activated by injection with estrogen. Total transcriptional activity increased markedly in activated embryos, and immunocytochemistry with antibodies recognizing specific histone modifications revealed differential modification of several histones in the trophectoderm (TE) and inner cell mass (ICM) of dormant and activated embryos. High levels of histone H3 lysine 9 (H3K9) dimethylation, which suppresses gene expression, were observed in the ICM, but not in the TE, of dormant embryos, and the levels decreased when the embryos were activated, consistent with changes in transcriptional activity. Substitution of histone H3.3, a variant of H3, for dominant H3.1 increased in activated embryos, suggesting that histone substitution is involved in inducing gene expression associated with activation. In the nucleus, H3.3 was mainly localized in the nucleoli of activated embryos but not in those of dormant ones. In contrast, there were no obvious differences in the trimethylation of histone H3K9 or the acetylation of histones H3K9, H3K18 and H4K12 between dormant and activated embryos. These results suggest that a decrease in H3K9 dimethylation contributes to the acquisition of implantation competence by releasing genes from suppression. In addition, histone H3.3 substitution seems to be involved in global gene activation and facilitates the prompt recovery of dormant blastocysts to the active state by inducing rRNA synthesis, resulting in an increase in translational activity. [source] Decrease in glomerulonephritis and Th1-associated autoantibody production after progesterone treatment in NZB/NZW miceARTHRITIS & RHEUMATISM, Issue 6 2009Grant C. Hughes Objective While estrogen treatment exacerbates disease in models of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), the effects of progesterone are unclear. This study was undertaken to assess the effects of continuous progesterone treatment on autoantibody production and spontaneous glomerulonephritis (GN) in a mouse model of SLE. Methods Female (NZB × NZW)F1 (NZB/NZW) mice were treated with vehicle, 2 mg of depot medroxyprogesterone acetate (DMPA), or 10 mg of DMPA every 6 weeks. Survival, proteinuria, and serum anti,double-stranded DNA (anti-dsDNA) levels were monitored. At 39 weeks of age, kidneys were analyzed for abnormalities and glomerular accumulation of IgG subclasses and C3. Spleen leukocyte subsets were also analyzed. Results DMPA treatment reduced mortality in a dose-dependent manner in association with reduced proteinuria and glomerular damage. High-dose DMPA treatment resulted in a reduction of total serum IgG and IgG2a anti-dsDNA antibody levels, whereas IgG1 anti-dsDNA antibody levels were modestly increased. High-dose DMPA reduced glomerular accumulation of IgG1, IgG2a, IgG3, and complement, while low-dose DMPA decreased glomerular IgG2a and IgG3 levels compared with vehicle treatment. Conclusion Our findings indicate that treatment of premorbid female NZB/NZW mice with DMPA reduces mortality and attenuates spontaneous GN, likely through multiple mechanisms, including altered ratios of protective Th2-related IgG antibodies versus nephritogenic Th1-related IgG autoantibodies. Thus, estrogen and progesterone may have disparate effects on lupus autoimmunity, lending new significance to observed hormonal imbalances in patients with SLE. These data also suggest that treatment of SLE patients with DMPA may have therapeutic benefit. [source] Acquired sideroblastic anaemia following progesterone treatment in pregnancyAUSTRALIAN AND NEW ZEALAND JOURNAL OF OBSTETRICS AND GYNAECOLOGY, Issue 2 2009Gabriela BENCAIOVA No abstract is available for this article. [source] Progesterone induces activation in Octopus vulgaris spermatozoaMOLECULAR REPRODUCTION & DEVELOPMENT, Issue 1 2001Elisabetta Tosti Abstract The purpose of the present study was to determine whether Octopus vulgaris spermatozoa are activated by progesterone stimulation. Spermatozoa were collected from the spermatophores in the Needham's sac of the male (MS) and from the spermathecae of oviducal glands of the female (FS). We used transmission (TEM) and scanning (SEM) electron microscopy to study the morphology of untreated, Ca2+ ionophore A23187 and progesterone‐treated MS spermatozoa, and untreated FS spermatozoa. We showed that ionophore and progesterone stimulation of MS spermatozoa induce breakdown of the membranes overlapping the acrosomal region, exposing the spiralized acrosome. These modifications resemble the acrosome reaction observed in other species. FS stored in the spermathecae did not show the membranes covering the acrosomal region present in the MS spermatozoa. When ionophore and progesterone treatments were performed in Ca2+‐free artificial sea water, no changes were observed, suggesting the role of external calcium in modifying membrane morphology. Lectin studies showed a different fluorescence distribution and membrane arrangement of FS‐untreated spermatozoa with respect to the MS, suggesting that spermatozoa transferred in the female genital tract after mating, are stored in a pre‐activated state. The plasma membrane of the untreated MS and FS spermatozoa was labelled with Progesterone‐BSA‐FITC, indicating the presence of plasma membrane progesterone receptor. Taken together these data suggest that progesterone induces an acrosome‐ like reaction in MS spermatozoa similar to that induced by calcium elevation. In addition progesterone may play a role in the pre‐activation of spermatozoa stored in the female tract, further supporting the hypothesized parallelism between cephalopods and vertebrates. Mol. Reprod. Dev. 59:97–105, 2001. © 2001 Wiley‐Liss, Inc. [source] |